Physical Characterization of Objects in the Geo Region with the Loiano 1.5 M Telescope

A pilot program for the physical characterization of the space debris population in high Earth orbits was started at the 152cm G.D. Cassini Telescope in Loiano, operated by the INAF Astronomical Observatory of Bologna, Italy. Several BVRI photometric images of active satellites, disposed spacecraft and upper stages were acquired during 4 nights in the year 2011 along with a number of photometric calibration fields and Solar analogue stars (spectral standards) for calibration purposes. A few High Area to Mass Ratio, HAMR, objects were observed and lightcurves were obtained for them. The paper presents the obtained data and the discussion on how to establish the physical nature and hence, possibly, the origin of the targets.